Fathers working beside us!

[wglenmapler]

As I was reading some of your posts, I was reminded how much of a family type business the maple production is. With fathers day coming, I thought we should at least honor those dads who have given so much. My father, Don Weed, is one of the hardest working men I know. He never complains, just keeps at it and finishes the job without much "to do". I know I couldn't find one person to do what he does. Thank God for his help!

[backyard sugaring]

I agree mine is the same way. 75 years old and does more than my 20 year old workers do. My Dad always does it right knowing our name is on it. Lee

[talahi maple products]

I was raised on Mapling with my Dad in our back yard operation. I got away from it for about 20 years, Just helping him out occasionally when I came back home for a visit. After I moved back home I realized he wasn,t gonna be doing it many more years. and I would like to continue the family tradition. So i started my operation. Fortunately he was around a couple years when I started to help me out. He's been gone 3 years now and I sure do miss him when the snow starts melting.

[Ausable]

Well -- In Families - Sugarin has to start some place. About 18 years ago - some friends got my wife and I interested in making Maple Syrup. They had been doing it for years and were kind enough to pass on one of their old pans so we could get going on a block arch outside. We built a Sugar Shack and a stove out of a 55 gallon oil drum and batch made syrup for about fifteen years giving it to family and friends. It was starting to look like none of our family had any interest in maple syrup - except eating it - and the maple syrup making in our family would end with my passing. Well Happy to say I was really wrong on that score. Two years ago - One of our Sons and Grandsons built us a 2' x 5' flow thru evaporator and also started collecting sap at their homes for us to boil (over 400 gallons this year). Another Grand-daughter and her husband picked up our old batch pan and built a block arch at their house and made some beautiful maple syrup this year and some of the other adult Grand children are getting interested and help out. Yep - from the Old Fathers side -- I can say I'm really proud of all of them and good to know they will be making their own maple long after I'm gone..... Mike

[sap retreiver]

I haven't been in it that long and dad never did it till me, yet it's funny how when Dad's around everything seems to work just right. coincedence, boiling sodas or sh!t luck? Thanks Dad

[waysidemaple]

I wouldn't have a shack or the sap in the bulk tank without my dad. He collects for me everyday Im at school and never complains about it. I wouldn't have a evaporator or filter press at this stage in the game either if it wasn't for my grandpa either. I won't ever be able to thank them enough!

[adk1]

This thread is great and is the reason why I am starting my own operation, for the family. Nobody in my family has ever made maple syrup, EVER! You have to start someplace and the place is me and I cant wait!

[Father & Son]

My dad passed away in 1997 and I didn't start sugaring till 2005 but I know he would be right there with us if he was still around. I started sugaring for something for my son and I to do together with no knowledge of sugar making what-so-ever. Between the two of us on the internet and some very helpful local sugarmakers ("Sugarmaker" Chris Casbohm mainly) we have managed to build some of the memories mentioned in this thread that my son hopefully can look back on years from now. I have really enjoyed the thread "Favorite Phrase'e" that refers back to fathers and grandfathers. Good Stuff!

Jim